Jim Bowen Dead: ‘Bullseye’ Presenter And Comedian Dies, Aged 80

RIP.
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Jim Bowen, best known for presenting the cult darts-based game show ‘Bullseye’ has died, aged 80.

News of his death was confirmed by his wife to BBC Radio Lancashire.

Some sad news... The former comedian, TV and Radio Lancashire presenter Jim Bowen has died aged 80. pic.twitter.com/LuW0UFPr2w

— BBC Lancashire (@BBCLancashire) March 14, 2018

The star had previously suffered difficulties with his health and was hospitalised in 2016 after suffering a stroke.

The former deputy headmaster, who was born in Lancashire, began his career as a stand-up comedian on the club circuit in the 1960s.

He honed his craft on the northern club circuit, whilst still working full time as a teacher.

Jim Bowen (1937-2018)
Jim Bowen (1937-2018)
Rex

He became a household name when he began presenting ‘Bullseye’ in 1981, which ran for 14 years until it was axed in 1995.

The popular Sunday night gameshow mixed general knowledge questions with darts.

His catchphrase ‘look what you could have won’ - was uttered to unlucky contestants who missed out on the show’s star prize, although he claims he never uttered ‘super, smashing, great’, which is also associated with him and the show.

He also scored a number of acting roles, appearing in ‘Jonathan Creek’, ‘Phoenix Nights’, ‘Muck And Brass’, ‘Last Of The Summer Wine’ and ‘The Wheeltappers And Shunters Social Club’, as well as appearing on the ITV sketch show ‘You Must be Joking’.

Fellow comedian Jim Davidson was one of the first to pay tribute...

RIP Jim Bowen. Great guy

— Jim Davidson (@JimDOfficial) March 14, 2018

Sad news coming in...
The former comedian, TV and Radio presenter Jim Bowen has died, aged 80. RIP Jim ❤️ pic.twitter.com/p7G2BklWvb

— RussellGrant.Com (@RussellGrantcom) March 14, 2018

And now we’ve lost dear #JimBowen a lovely chap whom I worked with on many occasions in the 1980s. Another one of the ‘old school’ who long before social media and satellite channels became popular and beloved of the British public. Love 💖🐮💖 pic.twitter.com/GwMVoTg7Qe

— Russell Grant (@THERussellGrant) March 14, 2018

Jim Bowen RIP great comic we worked together many times had a lot of laughs together. Jim & Ken Dodd sad time for the entertainment industry pic.twitter.com/1tW1XRZvxn

— Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) March 14, 2018

Sad news about Jim Bowen! Ya can’t beat a bit o bully!!#RIP pic.twitter.com/paVWKiqv4z

— Will Mellor (@Mellor76) March 14, 2018

He is survived by wife Phyllis and his two children, Susan and Peter.

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